posted April 06, 2022

New air ambulance base to provide lifesaving emergency care to residents of central Nebraska and surrounding areas

Kearney, Neb., April XX, 2022 – Today LifeNet, a subsidiary of Air Methods, the leading air medical service provider in the U.S., announced that it has opened a new base in Kearney, Neb., to provide emergency air medical services to the city and other local communities in central Nebraska and north central Kansas. Opening the base will result in quicker response times for emergent and trauma situations and provide interfacility transports for patients needing specialized care.  

The Tri City LifeNet base will provide year-round air medical services to the region, responding to emergency medical calls for trauma events such as heart attacks and strokes. LifeNet is staffed with 12 crew members, including pilots, flight nurses, flight paramedics, and mechanics. This crew of industry-leading, highly-trained, trauma clinicians and pilots have years of experience in the field and have skilled aviation mechanics who ensure the aircraft is safe and mission-ready at all times.

Officials from Air Methods/LifeNet established this base due to the growing need for an air medical base in central Nebraska to better serve the entire region. At a time when more than 85 million Americans live more than an hour’s drive from Level I or II trauma centers, there is an increasing demand for air medical services to ensure that patients have access to necessary care centers.

“Having access to potentially lifesaving air medical services is incredibly important to our community, especially with the continued consolidation of hospitals and the growing number of rural hospital closures throughout the region,” Kevin Hallam, account executive at Air Methods. “We are proud to be here and provide this vital service to our community and the surrounding region.”

Located at the Kearney Regional Airport, this rotorcraft is a rear loading twin engine EC 135 T2 plus aircraft. Additionally, the aircraft is an IFR/VFR aircraft which means it will be equipped to fly in times of inclement weather with expedited lift times and reliable delivery of life-saving measures.

“We are also pleased to offer community outreach programs that include a variety of certified courses available to emergency providers which are developed and regularly updated to reflect the most current evidence-based practices, Hallam continued.  “As the premier provider of critical transport, we view our customers as an extension of our services and are dedicated to supporting continued education which improves patient outcomes.”

Air Methods is committed to providing air medical services to all members of the communities we serve. Their average out-of-pocket patient cost per flight is less than $265 and they have secured in-network agreements with Blue Cross Blue Shield, United, and more than 30 additional health insurance companies. In addition, their patient advocacy program works with all patients, regardless of insurance, to ensure affordability.

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About Air Methods

Air Methods (www.airmethods.com) is the leading air medical service, delivering lifesaving care to more than 70,000 people every year. With nearly 40 years of air medical experience, Air Methods is the preferred partner for hospitals and one of the largest community-based providers of air medical services. United Rotorcraft is the Company’s products division specializing in the design and manufacture of aeromedical and aerospace technology. Air Methods’ fleet of owned, leased or maintained aircraft features more than 450 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

Media Contact:                                                                                                                

Denisse Coffman

Vice President of Corporate Communications

Air Methods

Adam Beeson

Amendola Communications

847-867-0048